UN chief Guterres wins Charlemagne Prize

Former Portuguese prime minister to be honored for being ‘an outstanding advocate for the European model of society.’

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres will receive the prestigious Charlemagne Prize for his services to European values.

The award’s board of directors announced the winner Tuesday, saying it is recognition of Guterres’ “dedication to a revitalization and consolidation of multilateral cooperation based on the values and objectives of the European Union and the United Nations.”

The board said that at a time when universal rights and democratic principles are increasingly under pressure, Guterres is “an outstanding advocate for the European model of society, for pluralism, tolerance and dialogue, for open and caring societies, for the strengthening and consolidation of multilateral cooperation and for a community of nations that will effectively meet the existential challenges of the 21st century.”

The former Portuguese prime minister has been at helm of the U.N. since January 2017, after serving as the institution’s high commissioner for refugees.